Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a romantic Valentine’s getaway with your loved one. Or if you’re single, you could take a girls trip with your best friends to celebrate. Without further ado, allow me to share fresh picks of the best cities and the best places to visit in the United States for Valentine’s Day travel.
Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.
Covid-19 Disclaimer: The recommendations listed are based on my own suggestions and in no way endorses or condemns travel at this time. If you decide to take a trip, follow national and state guidelines, and of course the CDC when traveling.
1. San Francisco, California (West Coast Getaway)
A Valentine’s Day getaway in California is an absolute must. I mean how couldn’t it be? California is the perfect place with its lush greenery and picturesque palm trees. While visiting, I took a wine tour which included wine tasting in both Napa Valley and Sonoma with a stop at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
Another great option if you aren’t into wine is to take a bus tour of San Francisco. This was a great experience and it’s perfect for learning more about The Golden State. If you’re into nature and natural beauty, how about visiting one of CA’s many national parks? There are nine in total to choose from including Lake Tahoe (border of CA and NV). The best part about all of the activities mentioned is that it’s perfect for couples and friends alike.
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Just an FYI if you plan on visiting San Francisco in February the temperature will be in the 60’s for the high and 40’s for the low. The first time I visited I had to purchase a jacket to keep warm. Looking for outfit suggestions to wear on the wine tour? How about a jumpsuit? That’s what I wore and is pictured below. The options in CA are endless too, you can always visit Los Angeles or San Diego if you have free time to explore the state, it’s up to you.
2. Miami, Florida (Southern Getaway)
Miami is a great Valentine’s Day vacation spot for its warm weather and perfect for a quick weekend trip; it’s a romantic place where you can stay in a boutique hotel, experience plenty of culture, and an avid nightlife. Looking for ways to impress your loved one? How about booking a private plane tour of the city? This tour showcases excellent views of The Sunshine State.
Want to spend quality time with friends? How about taking a Little Havana walking tour? If you didn’t know, Miami has a large Cuban population. This is a great opportunity to learn more and expand your horizons. Miami is just an awesome time overall so I’m sure you’ll have fun exploring the city.
The weather will be a lot warmer in Miami this time of year with the high’s typically in the mid 70’s and low’s in the mid 60’s. It is the ultimate romantic escape. However if Miami is not for you, Florida offers a bunch of other cities to explore which makes it the ideal destination. You can easily take a day trip or romantic weekend getaway to Orlando, or the Florida Keys. Florida has beautiful beaches so make sure to pack a bathing suit, sunscreen, and beach hat for the ultimate relaxation experience.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana (Gulf Coast Getaway)
When doing research on Valentine’s Day travel ideas I knew I wanted to include New Orleans. New Orleans has a rich history including cobblestone streets, Bourbon Street, delicious food (be sure to check out local restaurants), and it’s known for being the jazz capital of the world. Speaking of jazz, why not dance the night away with your spouse or friends on this jazz cruise? You’re bound to have a wonderful evening.
In the mood to be spooked so you’ll have a reason to cuddle at night? Then you’ll want to take this out of the box Cemetery tour in the bustling French Quarter. If you take this tour, be prepared to be scared silly with tales of paranormal activity and spooky graveyards. This list isn’t conclusive. New Orleans has a plethora of activities for any traveler.
New Orleans can be pretty chilly in February with highs in the 60’s-70’s and lows in the 40’s to 50’s but you won’t even notice with all of the exploring you’ll be doing. Just be prepared to dress warm for the weather. New Orleans is a vibrant romantic city that everyone raves about once they have gone.
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4. Tucson, Arizona (West Coast Getaway)
When seeking a romantic getaway, the desert might not cross your mind but I’m here to tell you it should. Tucson is one of the most romantic places to travel to and is perfect for either a short trip or weeklong vacation. While visiting, I was able to go to the Tucson Botanical Garden (pictured below) which has plenty of foliage native to the area. The best way to explore Tucson is to take a bike tour where you can view different neighborhoods and murals. This is a great way to exercise and explore the area with your friends or partner on Valentine’s Day.
Interested in taking in spectacular views from the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains? Then you’ll want to visit Mount Lemmon. This tour is the perfect opportunity to hike and make memorable experiences with your loved ones.
If you are looking for a more relaxing Valentine’s getaway, then you can always book one of the many luxury hotels in Tucson. Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort is a 4 star boutique property. The boutique is a great place for a dip in one of their hot tubs or to book a couples massage.
If you’re in the mood for a quick road trip, one of the best things you can do is visit Phoenix which is less than two hours away from Tucson. Winter is actually a great time to visit Tucson because it’s not as hot. The weather is a lot more tolerable with temps ranging in the 60’s-70 and lows in the 40’s-50.
5. New York City, NY (East Coast Getaway)
I’m sure you knew it was coming, but how could I not include a better place than NYC? NYC is one of the best destinations because it has plenty of romantic things to do and romantic spots to frequent. Not to mention, NYC is also one of the most romantic cities.
Manhattan is a short drive for me so accessing these locations are pretty seamless. However, if you’re visiting for the first time you can rely on NYC public transportation, Uber/Lyft, or the yellow cab to get around. One of the most romantic things to do in NYC is to take a carriage ride in Central Park. Central Park is one of the most beautiful places in NYC and this tour includes blankets to keep you warm and toasty. Keep in mind NYC will be cold, so make sure to purchase a winter coat, gloves, and hat.
New York City Getaway Continued
NYC is a not only a popular place, but it’s a city that is perfect for taking long walks during Valentine’s Day or any day really. I can’t think of a better way to explore if you’re looking for outdoor activities to bond with your partner or friend. Are you and your partner (or friend) into art? Then how about visiting one of my favorite museums the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)? This tour will allow you to skip the line and get straight to viewing art collections.
There are so many ideas of ways to spend your Valentine’s Day in NYC such as checking out one of the many popular attractions, rooftop bars, famous landmarks, or even just having a romantic dinner. There’s a surplus of restaurants in every price range. If you’d like further insight into how to spend time in NYC check out my blog post which includes all five boroughs.
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Final Thoughts
That concludes my list of Valentine’s Day getaways. If you’ve visited any of my suggestions in this post, please write to me and tell me all about it. I hope my list has helped you and you have a memorable VDay. As always, thank you for reading. Did you learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know. Please comment below and don’t forget to subscribe here.
Find me here: I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Need suggestions on how to travel safely? Click here. Interested in knowing what to purchase your loved one for Valentine’s Day? Check out my gift post. Want to know some of my must have travel items? Read more here. Having wanderlust, or traveling out of the country? Check out my detailed travel itineraries to Aruba, Belgium, London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Need resources related to blogging? Check out my tips on email marketing here and how to protect your blog here. Have a long flight planned and need tips on how to get through it? I’ve got you covered here.
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Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.
Covid-19 Disclaimer: The recommendations listed are based on my own suggestions and in no way endorses or condemns travel at this time. If you decide to take a trip, follow national and state guidelines, and of course the CDC when traveling.
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Photo Credits
Thank you Fabio Fistarol for the photo on Central Park, Morgan Petroski for the musicians in New Orleans photo, Denys Kostyuchenko for the Miami photo, and Nicolas Nieves-Quiroz for the photo on Mount Lemmon. I discovered all of their work from Unsplash.com. Please check them out!
Love all of these ideas for Valentine’s Getaways
Thank you so much! Let me know if you’re able to take a trip.
I´ve never thought of Tucson as a romantic getaway idea – but the landscape and nature must be so unique indeed! I´d love to visit New Orleans one day, and San Francisco is one of my all-time favorites! Thanks for this inspiring post
You’re welcome! I like to include places that may be overlooked, but are truly gems.
Ooooo these are some great suggestions! I totally agree that Tuscon is a great spot to visit this time of year. I live a few hours north in Phoenix, and February & March bring some of our best weather! I would love to visit NYC for a Valentine’s Day weekend. My husband and I love to explore big cities, so that sounds like so much fun. Thanks for the great ideas!
Thank you so much and you’re welcome! I agree, having visited both Phoenix and Tucson, I definitely know that visiting during Winter is best. Hopefully, you and your husband are able to visit NYC, there’s so much to do especially when it’s a holiday.
Such a fun post! I have done NYC for Valentine’s weekend before and it was a blast! So many excellent dinner options. I’d love to check out the others too!
I’m so glad you were able to visit. Many options of things to do and eat.
We do love to celebrate Valentine’s Day when we are travelling. Thanks for some good ideas for places we may want to plan for a romantic getaway. Heading someplace warm would definitely make us happy. An it would be fun if Mardi Gras in New Orleans fell at the right time.
You’re welcome! And yes, it would be awesome.
Love all of these ideas, but I think I’d choose NYC! There’s just a certain magic to it that I think would make Valentine’s Day extra special 🙂
I agree wholeheartedly! Thanks for reading.
I would love to go to San Francisco or New Orleans for a Valentine’s Day getaway. Actually, I think I would go there anytime.
I agree they’re destinations perfect for any time.
Love the idea of going to New Orleans for Valentine’s Day! It sounds like such a fun city to visit with so many things to do.
I agree the options of things to do are endless!
I agree with the museums in NYC, I once spent a whole weekend museum-hopping in the city! Thanks for the great tips 🙂
That sounds like an awesome weekend! Thanks for reading.
These Valentine’s Day getaways ideas all sound so romantic! I’d love to visit all of them! Thanks for the inspiration and a great list of romantic getaway ideas!
You’re welcome! Thanks for reading.
I’ve never been to San Francisco but photos of it always look so scenic – it seems like a great place to escape to for Valentine’s day 🙂 Thanks for sharing
It’s an awesome time for sure. Thanks for reading!
These are all great ideas for Valentine’s Day getaways! New Orleans is one of my top places to visit this year. Thanks for sharing these awesome ideas!
Thanks for reading!
My husband and I love to getaway for quick jaunts and longer stays. It helps to have kids old enough to manage on their own. These destinations look fun.
I love quick getaways and long vacations too! I’m glad you found them fun, thanks for reading.
San Francisco has been on my wish list for so long! But I’ll need a long break to explore all the nearby national parks! I love the idea of going to New York for Valentine’s Day. It’s a different way of seeing the city. Your suggestion of visiting Central Park with blankets is a good tip!!
I really loved San Francisco, and I understand there’s so many different parks you can visit. Glad you liked the tip, thanks for reading!
We are coincidentally planning on being in Norway for Valentine’s Day; we didn’t actually plan around the holiday, and we’ll be visiting with another couple, but we are going to live it up! This list will be amazing to refer back to for next year. New Orleans is drivable from us, and San Francisco has been on my bucket list for ages. Maybe I’ll plan something intentionally for Valentine’s Day next year :). Xx Sara
Norway sounds like it’ll be an amazing time! I hope you are able to visit the locations mentioned next year, or sooner. Thanks for reading.